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NORTH    CAROLINA 

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JAMESTOWN    TER. CENTENNIAL    EXPOSITION,    1907 


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DAVIDSON  AND  NASH  ARCHES 


Erected  by  the  United  States  Government  at  the  Guilford  Battle  Ground, 
1906,  at  the  cost  of  $10,000,  in  accordance  with  the  revival  of  an  old  act: 

"November  4,  1777. — Resolved,  That  his  excellency  Governor  Caswell,  of 
North  Carolina,  be  requested  to  erect  a  monument  of  the  value  of  $500,  at  the 
expense  of  the  United  States,  in  honor  of  the  memory  of  Brig.  General  Francis 
Nash,  who  fell  in  the  battle  of  Germantown,  on  the  4th  day  of  October,  1777, 
bravely  contending  for  the  independence  of  his  coiinti-y-     Vol.  2,  p.  312." 

"Davidson,  Brigadier-General,  September  20,  1781. — On  motion  of  Mr. 
Sharpe,  Resolved,  That  the  governor  and  council  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina 
be  desired  to  erect  a  monument,  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States,  not  exceed- 
ing the  value  of  $500,  to  the  memory  of,  etc.     Vol.  3,  p.  669." 


North    Carolina    Historical    Exhibit 

Jamestown  Ter-Centennial  Exposition,  1907. 


It  has  been  the  purpose  of  this  exhibit  to  illustrate  by  portraits, 
maps,  manuscripts,  books,  implements,  and  domestic  utensils  of  all 
kinds  the  early  history  of  North  Carolina  and  her  people.  In  order 
that  the  visitor  ma}""  look  with  more  intelligence  and  have  a  better 
appreciation  of  what  is  before  him  this  little  book  is  offered  as  a  guide. 

Beginning  with  the  wall  space  on  the  right  are  the  John  White 
pictures.  The  original  of  these  water  colors,  done  by  John  White, 
Governor  of  the  colony  sent  out  by  Sir  Walter  Kaleigh,  1587,  and 
protraying  the  habits  of  the  North  Carolina  aborigineis,  hang  in  the 
British  Museum.  The  United  States  government  realizing  the  historic 
value  of  these  water  colors,  commissioned  Mr.  Albert  Sterner  to  cop}^ 
them  for  the  Smithsonian.  A  duplicate  of  this  order  was  given  by 
Colonel  Beneham  Cameron  and  replicas  of  the  pictureis  presented 
by  him  to  the  State  of  North  Carolina. 

The  thirteen  oil  paintings  done^by  Mr.  Jaeque  Busbee,  hanging 
directly  under  the  John  White  pictures,  give  a  good  idea  of  the 
Eoanoke  Island  of  today,  and  presumably,  of  the  Eoanoke  Island  of 
long  ago  when  the  first  English  colonists  sent  by  Sir  Walter  Raleigh 
landed  there  in  1584. 

Next  chronologically  are  photographic  reproductions  of  the  eight 
Lords  Proprietors  with  the  grant,  to  whom,  in  1663,  the  real  history 
of  North  Carolina  may  be  said  to  have  begun. 

Mrs.  Beal's  splendid  picture  of  Charles  I.  occupies  the  centre 
space,  round  which  are  grouped  portraits  of  North  Carolina  worthies, 
among  the  number  Penn  and  Hughes  and  Hooper,  signers  of  the 
National  Declaration  of  Independence  from  North  Carolina. 

General  Joseph  Graham  (1759-1836) :  ''Who  possibly  has  done  more 
than  any  one  person  to  vindicate  the  truth  of  ISTorth  Carolina's  Eevo- 
lutionary  history. "  . 

Hon.  W.  A.  Graham  (1804-1875):  ''Had  often  been  a  member 
of  the  Legislature,  represented  the  State  in  the  United  States  Senate, 
was  Secretary  of  the  Navy  and  twice  Governor  of  North  Carolina." 


Judge  James  Iredell  (1788-1853):  ''He  acted  sometime  in  the  ofl3.ce 
of  Attorney  General,  was  also  appointed  a  member  of  the  honorable 
Council  of  State,  under  the  administration  of  Governor  Johnston, 
likewise  one  of  the  judges  of  our  Superior  Courts,  of  Law  and  Equity. 
He  was  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  to  revise  the  lawSi  of 
North  Carolina,  which  trust  he  executed  with  such  fidelity  and  eare 
as  secured  to  him  the  approbation  and  esteem  of  the  public  at  large. 
Such  wisdom  and  integrity,  however  modest,  cannot  escape  the  public 
eye  and  must  ever  continue  to  rise  by  a  rapid  gradation.  He  was 
accordingly  called  to  fill  the  seat  of  justice  in  a  higher  tribunal.  By 
a  federal  appointment  he  was  made  one  of  the  judges  of  that  court. 
This  was  to  him,  I  believe,  a  sphere  of  eminence  from  which  he  shone 
with  peculiar  lustre.  I  have  often  heard  high  enconiums  on  the  merit 
of  this  great  and  good  man,  but  never  in  a  single  instance  have  I 
heard  his  character  traduced  or  his  integrity  called  in  question." 

Judge  Alfred  Moore  (1755-1810) :  ''Captain  in  the  first  regiment  of 
North  Carolina  Continental  troops,  elected  Attorney  General  of  the 
State,  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  an  Associate 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Of  siich  a  man  our 
State  may  well  be  proud.  His  life  and  services,  consecrated  to  the 
cause  of  liberty  and  the  best  welfare  of  his  country,  will  ever  render 
dear  to  every  North  Carolinian  the  name  of  Moore. ' ' 

Hon.  George  Badger  (1795-1866):  "A  Judge,  a  United  States 
Senator,  and  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  esteemed  the  first  lawyer  and  the 
most  eloquent  orator  of  his  day  in  the  State,  When  he  spoke  the  rich 
musical  tone  of  his  voice,  the  perfection  and  eloquence  of  his  language 
and  his  faultless  pronunciation,  charmed  his  hearers  and  persuaded  all 
who  listened  to  him.  The  attention  became  riveted  and  the  spell  was 
never  broken  till  he  chose  to  suspend  and  permit  you  to  breathe  again 
in  freedom.  One  of  the  noblest  traits  of  Mr.  Badger's  character  was 
his  fearless  candor  and  indifference  to  popular  applause.  He  supported 
every  measure  as  it  commended  itself  to  his  judgment  and  rejected 
everyone  which  met  his  disapprobation.  He  was  a  supremely  great 
man.'' 

William  E.  Davie  (1756-1820):  "A  dashing  cavalry  officer,  a 
patriot  spending  his  entire  fortune  as  well  as  his  blood  for  his  country, 
a  lawyer  of  the  largest  attainment  and  an  orator  of  superb  intelli- 
gence, a  member  of  the  National  Constitutional  Convention  of  1777 
and  of  the  North  Carolina  Convention  of  1788,  the  founder  of  the 
State  University,  Grand  Master  of  Masons,  Governor  of  the  State, 
and  Minister  to  France." 

Kev.  Eli  Caruthers  (1793-1865) :  Eminent  for  his  piety  and 
fervent    patriotism    and    his    uncompromising    love    for    his   dear    old 

5 


state,  North  Garoliiua.  In  his  '^Sketche®  of  the  Old  North  State, 
1776,  First  and  Second  Series,"  he  has  done  the  State  an  infinite 
service. 

Judge  William  Gaston  (1778-1844) :  Nothing  could  give  a  better 
idea  of  the  character  of  this  loved  North  Carolinian  than  to  copy 
the  resolutions  unanimously  adopted  by  the  General  A&sembly  of  his 
State  on  the  occasion  of  his  death:  '  ^  The  General  Assembly  of 
North  Carolina  has  learned  that  since  their  last  session  onC'  of  the 
most  distinguished  of  our  citizens  has  died.  On  the  23rd  of  January, 
1844,  William  Gaston,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
North  Carolina,  after  an  illness-  of  a  few  hours,  departed  this  life. 
The  General  Assembly  of  the  State,  from  the  unsullied  character  and 
inestimable  worth  of  this  distinguished  citizen,  is  conscious  that 
no  acts  or  words  can  express  their  deep  veneration  for  his  character 
or  their  sorrow  for  his  irreparable  loss.  '  Storied  urn  or  animated 
bust'  cannot  remind  us  more  sensibly  of  his  exalted  worth,  for  this 
is  impressed  deeply  in  every  heart.  Literally  baptised  in  the  blood 
of  his  distinguished  ancestor,  who  fell  in  the  revolutionary  struggles 
of  our  country,  he  was  early  impressed  with  an  abiding  love  of  his 
native  State,  and  devoted  the  whole  energies  of  his  well  disciplined 
mind  to  its  service.  In  all  the  varied  stations  of  importance  to  which 
he  was  called  by  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens  he  devoted  with 
untiring  energy  all  the  powers  of  his  mind  to  the  promotion  of  the 
public  weal.  As  a  man  he  was  exemplary  in  all  the  relations  of  life; 
a  devoted  husband  and  affectionate  father.  As  a  statesman  he  was 
pure  and  .patriotic;  the  honor  of  his  country  was  the  chief  object  of 
his  heart.  As  an  advocate  he  was  faithful  and  zealous.  As  a  judge 
he  was  learned  and  impartial;  and  he  died,  as  the  whole  of  his  life 
had  been  spent,  in  the  service  of  the  State.  When  such  a  man  dies, 
the  State  may  well  mourn.  The  sensation  caused  by  his  death  testi- 
fied the  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  his  countrymen.  Noth- 
ing could  exceed  his  long, .  bright  and  glorious  career  in  life,  but 
the  tranquil  manner  in  which  he  left  it.  Full  of  years  and  full  of 
honors,  he  left  without  a  struggle  or  mumur  a  world  of  gloom  for 
an  eternity  of  glory.  Truly  was  it  said  by  one,  who  knew  liim  long 
and  knew  him  well,  'He  was  a  good  man  and  a  great  judge'.'  The 
General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  feel  their  inability 
to  express  their  own  feelings  or  those  of  their  constituents  in  view 
of  the  loss  which  the  State  has  sustained;  yet  they  deem  it  due  to 
the  memory  of  departed  talents  and  gratitude  of  his  long  and  faith- 
ful services  to  offer  the  following  resolutions: 

''Eesolved,  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina, that  in  the  death  of  William  Gaston,  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Coui-t,  the  State  has  experienced  a  loss  of  one  of  its  most 

6 


patriotic  citizens,  a  faithful  public  servant,  a  learned,  and  impartial 
judge.  That  in  the  course  of  a  long  and  varied  life  his  bright  career 
is  left  to  us  as  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  and  his  unsullied 
character  one  .of  the  brightest  jewels  of  the  State. 

''Ee&olved,  that  the  Grovemor  of  the  State  transmit  a  copy  of 
these  resolutions,  with  the  preamble,  to  the  family  of  the  deceased 
and  that"  they  be  spread  on  the  journals  of  both  branches  of  the 
General  Assembly. " 

Judge  Gaston  is  kmown  and  loved  by  all  North  Carolinians  as  the 
author  of  our  State  hymn,  ''The  Old  North  State  Forever". 

Besides  these  portraits  there  is  a  valuable  collection  of  silhouettes, 
photographs  and  prints  of  other  noted  North  Carolinians,  both  men 
and  women,  names  that  are  dear  to  the  he-9,rt  of  North  Carolina  and 
have  so  ably  contributed  to  make  her  history  ^what  it  is.  A  portrait 
of  peculiar  interest  is  that  of  Theodosia  Burr,  daughter  of  Aaron 
Burr  and  wife  of  Governor  Alston,  of  South  Carolina.  Mrs.  Alston 
met  a  horrible  fate  at  the  hand  of  pirates  on  the  coast  of  North 
Carolina  in  January,  1813.  This  portrait  of  her  was  washed  ashore 
at  Nag's  Head  and- found  by  a  fisherman  there.  Later  it  came  into 
the  possession  of  Mrs.  Overman,  of  Elizabeth  City,  by  whom  it  was 
loaned. 

Beginning  with  the  cases  at  the  right,  case  A.  contains  historic 
silver.  Chalice  and  paten  presented  to  St.  Paul's  Church,  Edenton,  in 
172.5,  by  Col.  Edward  Mosely,  one  time  chief  justice,  and  faithful 
commissioner  from  North  Carolina,  when  the  dividing  line  between 
Virginia  and  our  OTvn  State  was  run,  a  man  ever  most  active  in 
promoting  the  prosperity  and  liberty  of  his  State.  Chalice  and  paten 
used  in  the  First  German  Reformed  Church  in  Alamance  County, 
1780.  Part  of  Governor  Eden's  tea  service.  Tea  service  belonging  to 
Governor.  Samuel  Johnston  and  the  silver  service  belonging  to  the 
Cameiron  family.  Part  of  the  silver  service  given  to  Flora  Mac- 
Donald  by  Prince  Charlie.  Set  of  massive  tablespoons  given  by  Louis 
XIV ^^  his  court  physician.  Dr.  de  Brutz.  ShefS.eld  plate  basket  made 
^J^MHp  Loving  cup  won  by  the  horse  ' '  Sparrow ' '  at  Pembroke, 
Apri]n[7,  1754.  This  horse  was  owned  by  Thomas  Barker,  the  husband 
of  Penelope  Baker  Barker,  who  was  famous  as  being  president  of  the 
Edenton  tea  party.  A  plate  owned  by  George  Durant,  to  whom  a 
grant  of  land  was  given,  bj'  the  King  of  the  Yeopim  Indians,  March 
16th,  1661-1662,  A  royal  Sevres  plate,  one  of  the  set  given  by 
Napoleon  as  a  coronation  gift  to  his  brother  Joseph  Bonaparte, 
when  he  was  created  King  of  Spain.  This  is  owned  by  Mrs.  Lindsey 
Patterson,  of  North  Carolina.  A  very  quaint  and  massive  ladle 
owned  by  Penelope  Baker  Barker. 


Case  B.:  This  case  is  filled  with  articles  of  vertu,  among  other 
things  a  pair  of  silver  kneebuckles,  set  with  brilliants,  belonging  to 
Judge  James  Iredell;  black  satin  robe,  worn  by  Judge  James  Iredell, 
while  Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States; 
a  pair  of  silver  kneebuckleis.  set  with  brilliants,  belonging  to  Gov- 
ernor Gabriel  Johnston;  a  silver  snuff  box,  belonging  to  Governor 
Gabriel  Johnston;  a  silver  buckle,  slide  and  badge,  belonging  to 
Daniel  Morgan;  Davy  Crockett's  powder  horn,  the  one  always  seen 
painted  with  him  in  his  portraits;  a  miniature  of  Thomas  Amis, 
member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  of  North  Carolina;  two  magnifi- 
cent gold  and  pearl  fans,  and  two  quaint  memorial  lockets,  the  mak- 
ing of  which  is  a  lost  art;  silver  teaspoon  made  from  Colonel  Patrick 
Fergurson  's  kneebuckle. 

Case  C:  This  is  filled  with  costumes  of  the  early  colonial  period, 
and  those  showing  the  influence  of  the  French  empire,  with  beauti- 
ful textiles,  displaying  the  wonderful  skill  of  the  weaver's  art. 
Specimens  of  pottery,  including  pieces  of  spode,  Wedgewood  German- 
Encaustic  and  French  underglaze,  and  of  particular  interest,  two 
pieces  of  china  and  a  tea  caddy,  used  at  the  historical  Edenton  tea 
party.  Surmounting  this  case  is  a  model  of  the  Edenton  tea  party 
house,  presented  by  Dr.  Eichard  Dillard.  This  is  the  house  in  which 
the  famous  Edenton  tea  party  was  held,  October  25th,  1774,  at  which 
fifty-one  patriotic  women  vowed  to  drink  no  more  tea  until  the  tax 
was  repealed.  Hanging  immediately  above  this  is  a  copy  in  oils  of 
the  picture,  "The  Edenton  Tea  Party."  The  history  of  the  original 
of  this  picture  has  been  given  by  Dr.  Eichard  Dillard  in  his  brochure, 
''The  Historic  Edenton  Tea  Party."  I  quote  him  in  part:  ''Lieu- 
tentant  William  T.  Muse,  a  United  States  naval  ofiieer,  who  became 
conspicuous  during  the  civil  war,  and  whose  mother  was  a  Miss  Blount, 
of  Edenton,  while  on  a  cruise  in  the  Mediterranean  stopped  at  Port 
Mahon  on  the  island  of  Minorca,  and  accidentally  saw  hanging  in 
a  barber's  shop  there  a  picture,  representing  the  Edenton  tea  party 
of  1774.  It  was  purchased,  and  brought  by  him  to  Edenton  in  1830. 
I  have  this  date  from  an  old  Bible  bearing  the  date  of  his  return  from 
the  cruise.  It  was  first  placed  on  exhibition  in  the  court  house,  and 
the  representation  of  the  characters  was  so  distinct  that  many  of 
the  ladies  were  easily  recognized.  It  then  found  a  resting  place  in 
the  old  tailor  shop  of  Joseph  Manning,  ancestor  of  Chief  Justice 
Manning,  of  Louisiana,  and  finally  in  a  cracked  condition,  was 
entrusted  to  the  care  of  a  lady.  During  the  confusion  of  refugeeing 
incident  to  the  civil  war,  it  was  by  some  misadventure  broken  in 
three  pieces.  It  is  a  painting  upon  glass,  twelve  by  fourteen  inches. 
Upon  one  of  the  pieces  is  the  declaration  set  forth  by  the  ladies,  that 
they  would  drink  no  tea  nor  wear  any  stuffs  of  British  manufacture. 
Upon   another   is    the   picture    of   the   lady,   who   presided   upon    that 

8 


GOVERNOR  TRYON'S  "PALACE"  AT  NEW  BERN,  N.  C. 

Begun  in  1767.  finished  in  1770,  costing  15,000  pounds,  admitted  to  be  the 
handsomest  building  in  America. 

The  erection  of  the  Palace  ''in  a  province  straightened  in  its  finances, 
limited  in  its  resources  and  sparsely  settled  as  North  Carolina  was  at  that 
time",  imposing  as  it  did  such  a  tremendous  tax  on  an  already  overtaxed 
people,  was  one  of  the  causes  which  led  up  to  the  Regulation  troubles  and  had 
much  to  do  with  the  odium  attached  to  Trvon  and  his  administration. 


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occasion.  She  is  seated  at  a  table  with  a  pen  in  her  hand,  her  maid, 
Amelia,  standing  behind  her  chair.  This  maid  lived  for  many  years 
after  this  incident,  and  is  still  remembered  by  some  of  the 'oldest 
citizens.  By  a  singular  coincidence  her  granddaughter  is  still  living 
upon  the  very  same  lot  where  the  tea  party  was  held.  Upon  the 
third  fragment  of  this  picture  in  plain  letters  is  written,  '  The  Town 
of  Edenton.'  It  is  not  known  how  the  picture  of  this  party  was 
obtained,  or  how  it  found  its  way  to  Port  Mahon,  or  even  into  the 
barber  shop.  The  printer's  name  in  the  cornor  of  the  picture  is  said 
to  have  been  the  same  one  who  printed  the  celebrated  letters  of 
Junius  in  the  reign  of  George  III. ' ' 

Case  D.  is  filled  with  autograph  letters,  including  those  from  Penn, 
Hooper  and  Hughes,  Governor  Samuel  Johnston,  Judge  James  Iredell, 
John  Paul  Jones,  Willie  Jones,  ''Hal  Dixon"  Lafayette,  Eochambeau, 
Washington,  Nathaniel  Green,  ''Mad  Anthony  Wayne",  David  Fan- 
ning, Eichard  Caswell,  Jethro  Sumner,  John  Hinton,  and  Andrew 
Jackson.  In  this  case  also  is  the  ledger  kept  at  Bute — afterwards 
Warren  County — courthouse,  in  1769,  in  which  are  found  most 
interesting  entries,  .among  others  a  lengthy  account  "against  Mr. 
Jethro  Sumner",  in  which  that  favorite  beverage  of  our  ancestors, 
"bumbo",  figures  conspicuously.  A  day-book  belonging  to  Patrick 
Mennaye,  pioneer  merchant  of  the  "State  of '  Franklin".  These  are 
merely  incidents  taken  almost  at  random  to  show  the  character  of  the 
documents  exhibited. 

Case  F.  is  a  private  collection  installed  by  Misis  Lida  Eodman, 
of  Washington,  N.  C,  and  contains  valuable  and  beautiful  articles 
belonging  to  the  Eodman,  Blount  and  Bonner  families.  Among  other 
things  is  the  original  map  of  Washington,  N.  C,  done  in  1776  by  James 
Bonner,  Colonel  of  the  Beaufort  County  regiment  of  Eevolutionary 
troops. — 'Washington,  N.  C,  is  probably  the  first  town  so  called. 

Case  G.,  "Battle  Case":  In  this  case  is  a  varied  collection  of 
most  interesting  relics  from  the  battlefields  of  Alamance,  Moore's 
Creek,  Eamsour's  Mill,  King's  Mountain  and  Guilford  Court  House, 
assembled  together  after  over  a  hundred  years'  obscurity.  "Plan  of 
the  camp  and  Battle  of  Alamance,  May  16th,  1771,  between  Pro- 
vincials of  North-  Carolina,  commanded  by  his  excellency.  Governor 
Tryon,  and  the  rebels,  who  styled  themselves  Eegulators. "  Tablet: 
' '  The  Battle  of  Alamance,  the  first  battle  of  the  Eevolutionary  War, 
was  fought  in  Orange  County,  May  16th,  1771."  Swords  used  at  the 
Battle  of  Alamance.  And  of  paramount  importance,  the  first  Liberty 
Bell.  In  absence  of  a  drum,  this  bell  was  used  to  call  the  Eegulators 
together  at  Alamance,  May  16th,  1771,  thus  announcing  that  the 
battle  for  liberty  had  already  begun,  five  years  before  the  big  bell 

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at  Philadelphia  proclaimed  liberty  throughout  the  world,  July  4th, 
1776.  Swords,  pistols,  manual  of  arms,  m.edicine  case  and  cuff- 
buttons,  picked  up  on  the  battlefield  of  Moore's  Creek  and  Eamsour's 
Mill.  Dumbbell  belonging  to  Col.  Patrick  Ferguson,  whose  right  arm 
was  shattered  by  a  bullet  at  Brandywine,  but  by  constantly  exercis- 
ing his  left  it  soon  became  as  strong  as  the  right  arm  was  originally. 
Col.  Ferguson  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  and  this 
dumbbell  with  his  other  personal  belongings  fell  to  the  American  offi- 
cers. Powder  horns,  one  owned  by  John  Sloan,  one  by  George  David- 
.son;  both  of  these  men  were  killed  at  King's  Mountain.  Canteen  of 
John  Morehead,  used  by  him  during  the  Southern  campaign  under 
Greene,  owned  by  the  Guilford  Battle  Ground  Company.  Gun  and 
powder  horn  carried  by  Captain  Jesse  Franklin,  afterwards  Gov- 
ernor of  North  Carolina,  throughout  the  Revolutionary  War,  and' 
owned  by  the  Guilford  Battle  Ground  Company.  Somewhat 
eroded,  but  skillfully  restored,  the  Damascus  blade  of  the  Hon. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Stewart,  Commander  of  the  second  battalion 
of  British  Guards,  may  be  seen,  and  the  visitor  may  distinctly  trace 
the  armorial  bearing  of  his  ancient  Scottish  house.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Stewart  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House 
March  15th,  1781,  in  a  hand  to  hand  encounter  with  Captain  John 
•  Smith,  of  the  First  Maryland.  A  knife,  carried  by  a  Scotch  High- 
lander at  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House.  Shaving-^  case,  given 
by  Nathaniel  Greene  to  ''My  beloved  companion  in  arms,  Peter  Fran- 
cisco". This  case  was  loaned  by  the  Pescuds  of  Raleigh.  And, 
unique  in  the  horribleness  of  its  history,  a  pitchfork.  During  the 
Revolutionaiy  War  one  Powell,  a  Tory,  with  several  companions,  was 
C'ndeavoring  to  break  into  the  house  of  John  x^lexander,  a  staunch 
Whig.  Jean  Alexander,  his  daughter,  seizing  this  pitchfork,  thrust 
it  through  the  crack  of  the  log's  into  Powell's  body.  His  companions 
bore  him  away  shrieking  in  agony,  where,  two  miles  further  on,  he 
died.  The  place'  to  this  day  is  known  as  Powell's  Ridge,  near  Pleasant 
Garden,  Guilford  County.  Added  to  the  above  are  guns,  sw^ords, 
cannon  balls  and  the  general  and  familiar  waste  of  battle. 

Cases  H-K.  contain  the  exhibit  from  the  Wachovian  Historical 
Society,  Salem,  N.  C.  This  exhibit  gives  a  most  interesting  picture 
of  the  life  and  customs  of  this  famous  Moravian  settlement.  Hardly 
anywhere  else  in  the  country  could  so  much  material  illus'trating  the 
life  of  a  people  be  found.  One  case  contains  "a  century  of  illumina- 
tions", from  the  old  candle  wheel  to  ithe  lights  of  today.  Home-made 
utensils  of  every  sort,  used  about  the  house  or  on  the  farm.  ''A  cen- 
tury' of  musical  instruments",  including  a  quaint  harpsichord,  numer- 
ous brass  horns,  a  queer  old  trombone  and  bassoon.  No  wonder  ''the 
wedding  guest,  he  beat  his  breast,  when  he  heard  the  loud  bassoon", 
for  judging  from  the  appearance  ef  this  ancient  instrument  it  must 

13 


liave  given  forth  ear-splitting  sounds.  These  instruments  were  used 
in  the  serenade  of  welcome,  ''God  Save  Great  Washington",  on  the 
occasion  of  his  visit  to  Salem  in  1791,  and  in  the  same  case  is  the 
original  manuscript  music  of  this  sereinade.  An  ancient  printing 
pressi,  seized  by  Cornwallis,  at  Hillsboro,  and  used  by  him  for  print- 
ing his  proclamations.  The  first  fire  engine  brought  to  North  Carolina, 
1785,  and  a  series  of  letters,  showing  the  history  of  postage,  from 
the  time  when  it  cos>t  $1.75  to  send  a  letter,  to  the  two  cents  postage 
of  today.  Among  the  most  valuable  possessions  of  this  Moravian 
exhibit  are  the  three  original  maps  ■  of  Salem  and  vicinity,  which 
occupy  the  wall  space  to  the  left. 

Three  historic  chairs  invite  the  visitor  to  rest,  one  belonging  to 
Washington;  one  an  ancient  ''split  bottom",  P^-^'t  of  the  furniture 
in  the  Hoskins  house,  taken  possession  of  and  used  by  Cornwallis 
as  headquarters'  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House, 
and  one  from  Buncombe  Hall,  where,  over  the  door,  this  hospitable 
inscription   greeted  the   stranger,   "Welcome    all  to   Bucombe   Hall". 

Such,  in  a  general  way,  is  the  material  offered  for  inspection.  It 
is  all  tabletted,  so  at  a  glance  its  history  is.  known  and  its  date  clear. 


14 


SCENES   AT    GUILFORD    BATTLE    GROUND 


The  battle  of  Guilford  Court  House,  fought  on  Thursday,  March  15th,  1781, 
between  the  American  forces  under  Major-General  Nathaniel  Greene,  and  the 
British  forces  under  Lord  Cornwallis,  was  second  in  its  results  to  no  battle  of 
the  Revolutionary  War.      ''That  battle  made  the  capture  of  Yorktown." 


5    ^^0